(WASHINGTON, D.C.)—Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-08) today joined Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Congresswoman Deb Haaland (NM-01) and more than 45 colleagues in urging House Leadership to prioritize Family Care and the needs of family caregivers and essential workers in Congress’ upcoming coronavirus relief bill. Family Care would expand paid sick, medical, and family leave, provide access to affordable childcare, provide affordable physical and mental health care, ensure supports for the caregiving of seniors and people with disabilities, and provide cash assistance to offset the unexpected costs required to safely respond to COVID-19.

The Members wrote: "Over 52 million people are caregivers who provide care, services, and support to children, people with disabilities, sick adults, and seniors in their homes and communities. Of those, 33 million are unpaid primary family caregivers of seniors and people with disabilities, 11 million are sandwich generation caregivers who are simultaneously caring for a child and an adult, 4.5 million are direct care workers, 2.3 are domestic workers, and 2 million are childcare workers. Many of these caregivers are still working to keep our care systems going and to make it possible for other crisis responders to work. It is vital that we invest in home and community-based care infrastructure and that caregivers have the benefits and resources needed to fight COVID-19. The frontlines start at home and will remain there as we fight this pandemic for the long haul."

Full text of the letter can be found here.

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